The Indicator from Planet Money A school cellphone ban study, white collar jobs wither, and spooky candy prices
9 snips
Oct 31, 2025 Explore the intriguing impacts of school cellphone bans, where a study reveals a slight boost in test scores. Delve into the unsettling trend of white-collar job cuts, particularly at Amazon, influenced by the rise of AI. As Halloween approaches, prepare for a shocking 10.8% increase in candy prices due to tariffs and supply chain issues, along with a peek into shrinkflation affecting favorite treats. Get ready for spooktacular economic insights!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Signs Of AI Hitting White‑Collar Jobs
- Amazon and other big firms are cutting white‑collar roles while praising AI as a productivity boost.
- The St. Louis Fed finds early signs that knowledge workers may be the first hit by AI‑driven displacement.
Modest Test Gains From Phone Bans
- Florida's statewide school cellphone ban raised test scores by about 1.1 percentile on average.
- The research used cell‑tower ping data to compare schools with large versus small reductions in phone use.
Discipline Spike After Phone Bans
- Schools with the largest drops in phone use saw big spikes in suspensions the year after the ban.
- Suspensions eased after the first year, leaving attendance and grades as net positives.